Look at the numbers Marcus produced as a backup nevermind how many matches Raphinha missed last season - I am not concerned that he will become bench fodder. Flick's first true mercado at Barça will allow him to add quality depth at every position to play his brand of football - and a intensity nutter like Gordon should fit quite nicely
I was surprised when the links began in last month or so, I didn’t really see it. However, one commonality with Barça and even with Pep at City is that they often recruited adversaries they have faced, scouted and been left impressed by
It must be said that I do love Uli eating his words 3 days after his nonsensical outburst on Barça
Anthony seems to clearly be a Flick request and on the heels of Barça's two matches vs Newcastle, I understand his interest to bolster his tactics. I think those who look at his pure G/A metrics might balk but it’s his Raphinha-esque workrate on top of blistering pace at LW. Objective stats for Raphinha when bought from Leeds were inferior to Anthony. For Hansi, that first attacking line with high & intense pressure to win balls is the first line of defense and attack - the English energizer bunny should be a force to reckon with. He’s also not being bought in to be a starter, he will rotate with Raphinha
When Tebas screwed Barça in the Nico saga last summer, the question was when will Barça add a dangerous touchline LW which Marcus is not really. We’ll see if this ultimately proves fortuitous because Nico has dropped off a cliff since then
Personally, I remember after our CL tie listening/watching his post match interviews talking about Barça and not unlike with Julian Alvarez & Bastoni you can feel the connection from opponents to be drawn to the project at Barça. I had not even pondered his acquisition but I did marvel at his workrate when facing him - he was relentless…and in a Flick team
I don’t know much about the player tbh apart from occasional highlights previously, couldn’t say much about his character and team chemistry qualities but I did like the way he was effusive in his praise of Rashford during that tie when most English pundits were binning the former ManYoo product. I like the cut of his jib for that alone, plus his intensity will be infectious
Still, absolutely bonkers that there are 2 Englishmen in Barça’s squad - yes, I think Marcus will continue (likely loan if the 30M can’t be brought down)
2 seasons in, Flick has earned the right to call the shots in Barça’s 1st mercado in 5 years where they will indeed be very active…still. Me, I think much more is still yet to come (Alvarez & potentially Bastoni - at a minimum)
